The award recognizes Sisters Hospital’s commitment and success in implementing a higher standard of stroke care by ensuring that stroke patients receive treatment according to nationally accepted standards and recommendations.

Sisters Hospital, Main St. Campus is a New York State Designated Stroke Center and St. Joseph Campus is in the process of becoming a Designated Stroke Center (stroke services).

To receive this award, both campuses of Sisters Hospital achieved at least 12 consecutive months of 85 percent or higher adherence to all Get With The Guidelines-Stroke Quality Achievement indicators and at least 75 percent or higher compliance with six of 10 Stroke Quality Measures, which measure quality of care.

These measures include aggressive use of stroke medications, such as tPA, cholesterol reducing drugs, and smoking cessation; all aimed at reducing death and disability and improving the lives of stroke patients.

“With a stroke, time lost is brain lost,” said Peter U. Bergmann, Sisters Hospital President & CEO. “The Get With The Guidelines - Stroke Silver Plus Quality Achievement Award demonstrates that our staff is committed to providing care that has been shown in scientific literature to quickly and efficiently reverse the damaging effects of stroke.”

The AHA/ASA Get With The Guidelines program promotes “teachable moments,” the time soon after a patient has had a stroke or heart attack, when they are more likely to listen to and follow their healthcare professionals’ guidance.

Studies demonstrate that patients who are taught how to manage their risk factors while still in the hospital reduce their risk of a second heart attack or stroke.

Through Get With The Guidelines, customized patient education materials are available at discharge, based on patients’ individual risk profiles.